The 23-year-old is aware these could be his final days calling Boston his home.

By Dan CagenDaily News staff

BOSTON — Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli is on the record saying he doesn't want to move any roster players in a trade this season.

However, that may not include Jordan Caron, who's been a healthy scratch much of the season and has contributed all of two points in 26 games this season.

The 23-year-old is aware these could be his final days calling Boston his home, although that's been said and written plenty of other times before.

"Of course a little bit nervous, but that's out of my control," he said Tuesday after playing 12:18 and picking up his first assist of the season in a 4-1 win over the Panthers. "I'll try to get some sleep tonight and we'll see what's going to happen tomorrow."

Just five years removed from being a first-round pick, it's possible other teams will value Caron highly and want to see what he can contribute when getting more playing time and in a different system. The Bruins coaching staff likes Caron's dependability and values his defensive strengths — he has the ability to play solid minutes in his own zone and on the penalty kill after not playing for long stretches, no easy feat.

Yet Caron's offensive limitations and lack of consistent physicality — something he had a lot of Tuesday night — make him a candidate to be passed over as well if the team desires an extra forward with more offensive upside.

Playing his first game since Jan. 27 because of Loui Eriksson's absence, Caron had a strong game. He had a few hard checks and crashed the net.

"I thought he played well," coach Claude Julien said. "I thought he played hard. Obviously [Jarome Iginla's] goal is a result of his hard work and shot at the net and bringing the puck up the ice. You know, he was very physical and he grinded, he skated well. So for a guy who hadn't played in a long time, I thought he was really good for us tonight. I really liked his game."

Caron would prefer to remain a Bruin. He's become friends with many of his teammates. But for his career, he might be better off getting a shot somewhere else where he'll get more minutes and a better chance at establishing something.

"We're pretty stacked right here and the Bruins want to go all the way," Caron said. "I think that's a good thing on my part, so I've been trying to stick in the lineup, but it's not an easy thing, I think with all the talent we have here, so we'll see.

"I don't know what else to say. It's totally out of my control. I thought I did pretty good tonight, so we'll see what's going to happen."